History 1970s

1973 12 Hours of Ypres (Belgium)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 12 Hours of Ypres Rally

Date: June 16–17, 1973

Host Country: Belgium

Surface: Asphalt

Total Distance: N/A

Total Starters: 91 crews

Total Finishers: 45 crews

The 1973 12 Hours of Ypres Rally, Belgium’s most prestigious asphalt rally, was once again a test of high-speed precision on tight farm roads and village streets. Featuring rapid-fire corners and minimal margin for error, the event drew the best local and regional talent. Driving under pseudonyms, “Pedro” and “Jimmy” executed a near-flawless run in their BMW 2002 Ti to take a celebrated home win.

Route

Farm Lanes: Fast and narrow, often with ditches and fencing right up to the tarmac edge.
Village Sections: Abrupt braking zones and tight turns between buildings required inch-perfect control.
Night Running: Limited lighting and high speeds through open countryside made visibility a serious challenge.

The rally took place on narrow public roads around the historic town of Ypres, with a mix of long straights, chicanes, and 90-degree junctions that demanded rhythm and precision at high speeds.

The rally’s condensed overnight format made it a relentless sprint, where early mistakes were rarely recoverable and co-driver accuracy was essential.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
“Pedro” (Jean-Pierre Gaban) & “Jimmy” (Jean-Michel Etienne) · BMW 2002 Ti
2nd Place
Gilbert Staepelaere & Willy Lux · Ford Escort RS1600
3rd Place
Franz Hummel & Christian Delferrier · Porsche 911

The Belgian pairing used their intimate knowledge of local roads and the BMW’s grip and balance to stay ahead of a fiercely competitive field, securing a popular win before a passionate home crowd.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Tight Corner Rhythm: Hundreds of quick transitions tested memory, confidence, and braking consistency.
  • Night Stages: Fast driving in the dark on featureless farmland meant mistakes could come at a high cost.
  • Precision Over Power: Ypres rewarded smooth lines and controlled aggression more than outright horsepower.

The 1973 12 Hours of Ypres was a tarmac classic, and “Pedro” and “Jimmy’s” victory marked one of Belgium’s most memorable rally successes on their home asphalt.

← Previous Event 1973 Acropolis Rally (Greece)
Back to Events Index
1973 Rajd Polski (Poland) Next Event →

Watch rallies anywhere — bypass region blocks with NordVPN.

Fast servers for HD streams Servers in 60+ countries 30-day money-back

Unblock coverage — Save up to 77% + 3 months free

Sponsored link. Using our partner links helps support Compromised Internals at no extra cost to you.